Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 105:24
And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
24. And he made his people exceeding fruitful,
And made them mightier than their adversaries.
Jehovah is the subject of the sentence. The A.V. fails to bring out the connexion of the verse with Exo 1:7, “The children of Israel were fruitful and were exceeding mighty.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And he increased his people greatly … – God caused them to multiply. Exo 1:7, Exo 1:9.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Not really, but according to their enemies apprehensions and expressions, Exo 1:9. Or, more numerous, as this word is elsewhere used. So this latter branch answers to the former. And this was true; for though they were not simply more in number than the Egyptians, yet they multiplied much faster.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he increased his people greatly,…. God increased the people of Israel greatly in the land of Egypt; they went down few, and became a populous nation; only sixty six persons, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives; and when they came out from thence were six hundred thousand footmen; yea, they increased the more they were afflicted, Ex 1:12. So the people of God in this world sometimes increase in number, and that even amidst the persecutions of their enemies; as the Christians did in the first times of the Gospel under the Roman emperors; and they increase in grace, in every grace, and oftentimes the more they are tried and exercised by afflictions.
And made them stronger than their enemies; in their bodies, being more healthy, strong, and robust; and which was seen, observed, and owned by their enemies, Ex 1:9. So saints, being strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, are a match for their enemies; are stronger than they, and are even more than conquerors through Christ, that has loved them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
24. And he greatly increased his people The singular favor of God towards his Church is now commended by the additional circumstance, that within a short space of time, the chosen people increased beyond the common proportion. In this matter the wonderful blessing of God was strikingly displayed. So much the more offensive then is the barking of some dogs, who insolently scoff at the account given by Moses of the multiplying of the people, because it goes far beyond what takes place in the ordinary course of things. Had the people increased only at the common rate, these persons would have immediately objected, that therein no work of God was to be seen. Thus the object which they pursue by their cavillings is nothing else than to make it to be believed, that the blessing of God had no connection with the case. But we, who are persuaded that it is unwarrantable for us to measure God’s power according to our own understandings, or according to what happens by the common law of nature, reverently admire this extraordinary work of his hand. The subsequent clause is a little obscure, especially if we read, The people were strengthened; (220) for the prophet does not seem to refer to that period when the Israelites lived at ease and in prosperity, but to the time when they were contemptuously and barbarously dealt with as slaves. We may, however, understand the language as spoken by anticipation, — as pointing to what was to happen. In the following verse, it is affirmed, that the Egyptians having changed their mind, began to treat the people with cruelty. Although then the Egyptians did not as yet openly exercise their cruelty against the people, when they were increasing both in number and strength, yet the prophet calls them persecutors. It is certain, that the Israelites, even when they were oppressed as slaves, were a terror to their enemies; and Moses plainly affirms, (Exo 1:12) that when they were under tyranny and wrongful oppression, it was still abundantly manifest, that the blessing of God rested upon them.
(220) “The root עצם,” says Phillips, “signifies to be strong, not only with regard to physical force, but also with respect to number: Psa 38:20, etc.; in German, a great number is called eine starke Anzahl , a strong number. Number seems to be referred to in this passage.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
24. Made them stronger than their enemies See Exo 1:7-9, where they are said to be “more and mightier” than the Egyptians; that is, than native born Egyptians; probably, not more than the total population under the government. The defense of the nation rested with the native citizens. Not their numbers only, but the superior strength, of the Hebrews alarmed the Egyptians. At the time of the exodus the Hebrews are commonly computed to have numbered about two and a half millions, and up to the date of Exo 1:8, they had political power. from this to Psa 105:38 the events leading to the exodus are rehearsed.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Reader! what a beautiful explanation is given here, by the Holy Ghost, to the Church’s history, during her being in Egypt, concerning the rigorous treatment of Israel by the Egyptians. The Lord turned the heart of the Egyptians to be thus unkind to Israel. And wherefore? that Israel might long, to leave Egypt; that Israel might form no alliance with Egypt; and that Israel might leave all for God: Sweet lesson to my soul! Doth the world hate me? Am I at any time unkindly dealt with by the world? Oh! precious Jesus! let me see thine hand in the appointment. They are but second causes, merely instruments, in all. Yes! yes! dear Lord, when I think of this, and read this blessed scripture, plainly do I perceive that they are but the sword; but it is thy hand that guides it. And is it not, oh! thou wise and loving Saviour, to do by me as by thy Israel, that I may long to leave the world, form no alliance with the world, but come out from among them, and cleave wholly to thee? And if by these means, however painful they may be to flesh and blood, Jesus can have, and keep my whole heart: oh! how blessed thus to hedge up my way with thorns. Hos 2:6-7 ; 2Co 4:17-18 ; Rev 18:4 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 105:24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
Ver. 24. And he increased his people greatly ] Against all the power of Egypt set against them.
And made them stronger than their enemies
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
enemies = adversaries.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
And he: Gen 13:16, Gen 46:3, Exo 1:7, Deu 26:5, Act 7:17, Heb 11:12
made: Exo 1:8, Exo 1:9, Exo 12:37
Reciprocal: Gen 47:27 – grew Exo 1:12 – But the more Num 22:5 – they cover Dan 8:9 – the pleasant Act 13:17 – and exalted